USI’s annual Solidarity Scholarship supports current students linked to the Lugano Campus whose serious, documented financial hardship could jeopardize their studies. USI administers the award through its Solidarity Fund, subject to available resources.
Eligible Bachelor’s and Master’s students apply for help with one semester’s tuition. The commission reviews financial need and academic progress, then communicates a final written decision, generally within one month after the deadline.
Benefits & funding
- The scholarship covers all or part of one semester’s tuition fee.
- It normally offsets the enrolment fee directly; in exceptional cases, USI may reimburse a fee already paid.
- Support depends on the severity of the applicant’s financial situation and remains available only until the Solidarity Fund is exhausted.
- Students may apply more than once, although first-time applications receive priority.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be duly enrolled in a USI Bachelor’s or Master’s programme; students of the Faculty of Theology of Lugano are excluded.
- Applicants must be within the normal study period and may not be on leave or beyond the prescribed study duration.
- Applicants must show severe, proven financial hardship that could jeopardize their studies, in a situation where no other financial support is available.
- Applicants must have good prospects of completing their studies and at least 80% of the credits achievable at their current stage, based on the latest winter examination session.
- No nationality restriction is stated; the grant page accepts applicants of Ticino, Swiss, and other origins.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Between January 1 and January 31, open the dedicated application form linked from the official grant page.
- 2Complete and submit the form before the deadline; late requests are not considered.
- 3The Student Administration Service prepares the file and submits a decision proposal to the Solidarity Scholarship Commission.
- 4USI communicates the commission’s final decision in writing, generally within one month after the deadline.
Program timeline
Previous cycle’s application deadline
Feb 28, 2026
Next application window opens
Jan 1, 2027
Next application deadline
Jan 31, 2027
Generally within one month after the deadline
Written decision communicated